The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-02-10

those in the city were somewhat inquisi-
tive concerning this conner, for when he
was come into the city he went straight
way to the temple and cast out number
of those who were deliling it, by making |
it ''den of thieves" 1t would be far |
better for us if we were more inquisitive |
concerning the characters who visit us.
A young man told us a few evenings |
since that somehow or other he felt |
that he had not been doing his duty for a
few years past. He did not know exactly |
how the information came, but come it |
did, and so solemnly did it impress itself
upon his mind that he was determined |
to live better life in the future. He
would hereafter strive to do his duty. |
Had that young man paused and inquired |
"who is this? ?" he would doubtless have |
found that it was the voice of the holy
spirit. That stranger is watching about |
every life every mans action; and it en-
braces every opportunity to come In, and
cast out everything that is impure, and of
evil report. The presence is felt and the
voice is heard in every walk of life, and
the distressing part is that so little atten-
tion is paid to the important presence.
We knew man who. as a rule, in mer-
chandise, would ESQ far over
look the Importance of the situation as to
clip the goods little short of the end of
the yard-stick. There was a surprise
party in that mans conscience the first
time he did that a stranger came along
and demonstrated with him for his
thoughtlessness The next time the same
presence came, and the disguised trades
man inquired "who is this ?" Then the
realization came that the presence was
that of one who keeps strict watch over
the actions of men, and who will hold
men to strict accountability for their
acts. But this realization does not come
to all alike. There has come into many
heart this stranger whose still small voice
has entreated for recognition. For many
long, weary, unrestful months, it may
have loitered there, pleading and implor-
ing the heart of Gods creature to turn
away from unrighteousness and follow
where the presence would lead, to bet
ter, a nobler experience. Every act of
the unrighteous one has been haunted
and shadowed by this quiet yet powerful
visitor, until, when the entreaties and adj
monitions cannot be endured any longer,
that person who has been entreated will
coolly turn and inquire "who is this?" So
little attention has been paid to the bless
ed presence that even a casual acquaint-
ance has not been permitted to spring up.
Why, the careless soul will sit in Gods
House, as we are sometimes pleased to
style the Church, and permit this stranger
to rush through their minds by the hour,
urging all manner of entreaties, yet will
be compelled at last to acknowledge to-
tai lack of acquaintance with him. But
the presence is there. The thief, who ap-
proaches the object of his raid with steal
thy step, watchful eyes, and general
bearing Indicative of expected arrest,
would not be at all surprised to hear the
voice of some felloW-creature calling
halt to the unlawful act. There trembles
in his wicked heart ready who's there?"
or "Who's this ?" The professedt Christian,
or the professed moral man, who attempts
an unrighteouS .act, very rarely does so
without being checked by a distinct word
of remonstrance. You treat your neigh
Dor unfairly-who is this, that is watch
ing you? You bear false witness either
about yourself or your neighbor-who is
this that records the act in the great book
of final record? You claim to 'walk with
God," and do all his commandments
who is this that intimates that liar will
not perhaps enjoy blessed era of pros
1,of fr,f do rirrht
eous act and lay it upon your wife-who
is this that steps up and writes the word
VILLAIN across your forehead? You at
tempt to build yourself up by pulling
your brother down-whO is this that acts
as witness to the execution of mort
gage made out with your soul as the con-
sideration, or rather the surety, and de-
livered over to the Devil? Do you repre-
sent your business as being greater than
it is. for the purpose of securing patron
age-who is this that is busily arranging
the record against you for future settle
ment? Do you put the intoxicating cup
to the lips of your fellow-whO is this
that steps up and tells you that you are a
scoundrel, and almost as bad as a MUIR
bor's fence in order to let the cattle into
his field-who is this that tells you there
is great danger of your getting where you
cannot see fence or breachy steer for
the smoke? Do you, as a politician, cir
culate scandalous stories about candidates
upon the opposite side-who is this that
gives you the solemn assurance that you
or ho child Of naxi19 10 coll
apples or potatoes and smooth off the
haif-bushel measure so as to make the
goods lie on level with the rim of the
measure-who is this that tells you that
"the Lord loveth a cheerful giver," and
that generosity is very essential part of
the Christian character? Do you parade
before the public wearing a great label,
painted by yourself, 81 am Christian
who is this that comes in and informs
you that the only emotion affecting the
world at the sight thereof is amusement?
Do you advise the young men to shun evil
associations, and especially to avoid the
intoxicating glass, then quietly slip into
den of infamy and while away the time
in wicked games, and in imbibing the
Devils poison-who is this that tells you
that it would be more in accordance with
Christianity and good citizenship, if you
you would spend the time with your fam
lily, or in studying and improving your
mind? Do you engage in practices in
which you would not have your
boy engage = who is this that in
forms you that boys are initiative, and
will follow the example set before them
as naturally as the young waterfowl will
swim after the parent-bird? Do you
scoff at those who are trying to do right,
to get out of the old sinful way, and get
upon higher plane of Christian living
who is this that tells you tnat those who
are now the objects of your sneers will
soon be out of your reach, unless you